P4/5
Newsletter
ann.douglas@highland.gov.uk
September 2014
School website: www.rosebank-pri.highland.sch.uk
Firstly, welcome to Primary 4/5. My name is Mrs Douglas and I teach the 11 primary four pupils and
14 primary five pupils currently in the class. We are based in room 14, on the upstairs corridor.
I work from Monday to Thursdays and Mr Allmond teaches the class on Fridays. We liaise closely
together each week to share information and plan lessons so that there is a smooth hand-over.
Ms Masson and Mrs Smart, who are pupil support assistants ( PSAs) also work part time within the
class during the week.
The class are taught Drama by Mrs Pilkington on Wednesdays and have PE with Miss Walker / Miss
Purves on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The current class has been composed of pupils coming from 3 different classes within
Rosebank. My priorities are to develop a whole class identity, building positive relationships,
encouraging teamwork and nurturing a constructive learning ethos. Much of the health and
wellbeing work we will do this term will continue to focus on these priorities. The move from P3 to
P4 means that some of the children are working in class for longer so it is quite natural for some to
feel tired during the first few weeks. In planning the class timetable, I have tried to take this into
account as far as possible.
In the table below I have summarised our main learning targets for this term, with equal focus on
developing the skills of pupils as well as continuing to develop their knowledge and understanding of
the curricular areas.
Literacy
Speaking- raising
confidence in speaking to
an audience.
Writing- capital letters,
full stops, commas,
connectives,
nouns/pronouns/collective
nouns. Improving
handwriting.
Reading- aloud with
expression, using evidence
in a text to support
answers, prediction,
characterisation
Listening – active listening
strategies such as using
body language, asking
questions, paraphrasing,
and summarising.
Core Numeracymental maths skills
Number bondsimproving speed and
accuracy, counting
skills, number
sequences, learn-its (
P4 – 3 times table,
P5- 8 times table),
calculations –
addition.
Religious and Moral
Education
P4- Judiasm
P5- Islam
Science
Plants
Eco System
Biodiversity
Sound
Topic
Enchanted Woods
Music
Percussion
Investigating Rhythm
Health and
Wellbeing
Friends and
Friendship
Resolving conflict
Potential risk in the
environment( 4s)
Avoiding hazards (
5s)
PE-( Mrs D)Balance,
travel, Flexibility
ICT
Feature of Word
Creating documents
Search skills
P4/5
Newsletter
ann.douglas@highland.gov.uk
September 2014
School website: www.rosebank-pri.highland.sch.uk
Weekly Routines. The following table highlights our main time tabled routines for this
term, the rest of our timetable is quite flexible according to the priorities of the day.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
PE – kit required
Assembly
PE – kit required
Library- opportunity to borrow/return book to the school library
Drama
Music
PE
Golden Time
Home learning:
As a parent myself, I am well aware that it can be challenging for both adults and children to find the
time (and energy) to fit in home learning. To this end, I intend to issue new home learning on a
Wednesday with the expectation that completed home learning will be returned by the following
Tuesday. Please feel free to use the jotter as another form of communication
tool between home and school.
Housekeeping:
Many thanks to all those who have labelled their children’s property- as you can imagine in a busy
classroom, there is plenty of scope for things to go astray! Even initials written in indelible ink can be
of great assistance in re-uniting the children with the correct shoes, PE kit, sweatshirt etc.
I encourage all the children to take a water bottle into class; evidence suggests that keeping
hydrated really does help a child learn better.
If your child is absent for any reason, please remember to advise the school as soon as possible on
their first day of absence. This should be followed up with a note on their return to class.
Contact Details: I am usually in class between 0830 and 1700 so please feel free to pop in at either
end of the day for a quick chat, although it’s usually best to check that I will be available on any given
day.
I can also be contacted by email at ann.douglas@highland.gov.uk I usually check my emails at 0830
and again at 1500. Alternatively, Liz in the office can also relay messages should you wish to contact
the telephone the school.( 01667
In almost all circumstances I should be your first point of contact. However, should you wish to meet
with a different member of staff or an issue remains unresolved then please contact Mrs Matheson,
one of our Principal Teachers linsey.matheson@highland.gov.uk .